Every fall, the Westlawn Green Squad dedicates a weekend to revitalizing the Westlawn Woods. Students, staff, and volunteers come together to demonstrate their commitment to stewardship and citizenship by laying and spreading mulch along the walking trails. This hard work not only enhances the natural beauty of the area but also fosters a strong sense of community pride. As you embark on a stroll along the newly mulched trails, take a moment to appreciate the amazing outdoor learning spaces that have been lovingly maintained. Join us in celebrating the efforts of the Green Squad and enjoy the refreshed trails!

At the start of the school year, Parkview students participate in the annual “Bullpup Bonanza,” an essential component of our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) system. During this engaging event, students explore various areas of the school, learn about Parkview’s expectations, and discuss how to embody respect, responsibility, and safety in every environment. Throughout the year, every child consistently demonstrates these core values.

The week culminated in our first all-school Paw Party assembly, celebrating the conclusion of the Bullpup Bonanza and kicking off an exciting tradition. Every Friday morning, Parkview’s weekly Paw Parties encourage both staff and students to wear Parkview apparel, fostering a strong sense of community. We are thrilled to build character and unity within our school!

Less than half a percent of students who take the ACT earn a perfect score of 36, and this year, two Cedarburg High School students accomplished this remarkable feat by excelling in all four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science.  

CHS seniors Ishan Patil and Joshua Masslich achieved the highest possible ACT composite score of 36, showcasing their outstanding abilities.

“This achievement reflects Josh and Ishan’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to academic excellence. It also highlights the incredible support provided by their teachers, counselors, and families. We are fortunate to have such talented and driven students representing Cedarburg High School. Congratulations Josh and Ishan,  and Go Bulldogs!” said Casey Bowe, CHS Principal. 

The ACT aligns with the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards, measuring the core knowledge and skills addressed in high school and postsecondary programs. The test spans more than two hours of questions completed in one school day. Ishan and Joshua's flawless performance reflects their exceptional educational achievement across all content areas.

Cedarburg High School congratulates Ishan and Josh on this impressive honor, hoping that recognitions like this broaden their educational opportunities and support their pursuit of academic success.

CSD has been recognized as one of the top-ranked school districts in Wisconsin for 2025, according to new rankings released by Niche. Out of 367 Wisconsin school districts, Cedarburg was ranked #6 for “Best School District,” and #5 for “Districts with Best Teachers.” In Ozaukee County, Cedarburg School District ranked #1 for “Best Teachers”! Nationally, the district ranked 200th out of all 10,561 public school districts. We are honored to be consistently ranked nationally among the top districts in the U.S.!  

That’s just the start. The District and all five schools received a rating of A+ or A in the 2025 Niche Rankings. Cedarburg High School was selected as #2 in Ozaukee County, #10 in Wisconsin, and #20 of all STEM high schools in Wisconsin. Webster Middle School ranked #3 in Ozaukee County and #11 overall in Wisconsin. Parkview, Westlawn, and Thorson Elementary Schools ranked #2, #4, and #6 in the area, respectively, placing them in the top 1-3% in Wisconsin!

Superintendent Clark commented, “We are immensely proud of the achievements of our students and staff, and this recognition reflects the efforts of our entire school community. The dedication of our passionate teachers, committed students, and supportive parents creates the perfect environment for success.”  

The Niche ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, public school district ratings, and more.  The annual rankings combine participant survey data about school and student life, as well as academic data. Each school is given a letter grade for teachers, academics, diversity, and more.

The College Board announced that CHS has been named to the Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll for the 2023-24 school year, earning GOLD distinction.

The AP® School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness. 

Cedarburg High School had 78% of seniors who took at least one AP exam during high school, 66% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP exam, and 37% of seniors who took five or more AP exams! CHS offers 27 AP courses, with 63 sections, and 29 AP teachers. 

“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from the College Board. This achievement is a direct result of the dedication and hard work of our students, their families, teachers, and staff,” said Principal Casey Bowe. “We will continue to strive for excellence and provide our students with the best opportunities for success."

College Board’s Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) enables students to pursue college-level studies—with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—while still in high school. Through AP courses in 38 subjects, each culminating in a challenging exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue—skills that prepare them for college and beyond.

CHS is proud to announce that seven seniors, Madeline Kieckhefer, Eliana Lisiecki, Jonah Kinsey, Ishan Patil, Joshua Masslich, Elliot Wymore, and Anna Meuler​​​​​​, have been selected for the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. Out of approximately 1.3 million high school students who applied, these students were chosen based on their performance in the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). 

Ishan and Elliot have qualified as National Merit Semifinalists, while Madeline, Jonah, Eliana, Joshua, and Anna have been designated National Merit Commended students. Casey Bowe, CHS Principal, said, “Being recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Competition (NMSC) is a tremendous honor and is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and academic excellence. We are thrilled to see their efforts acknowledged on a national level, as each of these students exemplifies the excellence we strive for at Cedarburg High School. Congratulations to all the NMSC recipients; your achievement is inspirational and is a source of pride for Bulldogs everywhere.”

As semifinalists, Ishan and Elliot will have the opportunity to apply for one of the 7,140 National Merit Scholarships, a collective fund of nearly $28 million. We are thrilled to support Ishan and Elliot as they pursue Finalist status, which will be announced in the spring of 2025.  Madeline, Jonah, Eliana, Joshua, and Anna, on the other hand, have been recognized for their exceptional academic promise and will receive a Letter of Commendation. 

For 70 years, the NMSC has recognized the intellectual talents of students across the nation. Cedarburg High School congratulates all the recipients for their outstanding achievements and wishes them continued success in their academic pursuits.

The Cedarburg School District is pleased to announce the new building principal at Thorson Elementary School for the 2024-25 school year. On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, the Cedarburg School Board approved an administrative contract for Mr. Brandon Ruff. He will be taking over from Angela Little, who earlier this year accepted a new position as the Director of Student Learning at the Mukwonago School District, starting on July 1, 2024. Mrs. Little, who has been with the Cedarburg School District since 2014, will continue to serve as Thorson's Principal until the end of June 2024. Her dedicated service over the past 10 years is highly valued and appreciated by all. 

Brandon has 20 years of experience in education. He recently served as Associate Principal for North Middle School in the Menomonee Falls School District for the past two years. Some may know Brandon as he served as an 8th-grade Social Studies teacher at Webster Middle School for 10 years, from 2012 to 2022. During his time at Webster, he gained remarkable experiences and remained dedicated to learning and evolving as an educator. Throughout his educational career, he exemplified leadership through his strong work ethic, genuine care for students, and deepened his understanding of best practices to ensure the success of every student. Continuous improvement is what drives Mr. Ruff to foster a positive school culture, both as an administrator and teacher. He believes that individual conversations with students on their current strengths and needs for improvement are essential in building the “why” for students in their learning. 

Under Mr. Ruff’s leadership, Thorson Elementary School will continue to uphold its high level of excellence and strong reputation. He stated, “My goal is to ensure every student receives a high-quality education in a supportive and nurturing environment. We will continue to strive for outstanding achievement, supported by a strong, dedicated staff that is passionate about student success and development.”

Brandon Ruff has a Master’s Degree in Education and Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice. He is looking forward to being once again a dedicated member of the community. He has coached Webster’s basketball, track, and cross-country teams, as well as serving as the Cedarburg High School Boys’ Golf Coach. As a parent of 4 children and a wife who is also in education, he is excited to be back working at the Cedarburg School District. The Cedarburg School District is fortunate to welcome such a visionary leader back to our learning community.

Every January, students from Cedarburg High School participate in National History Day® (NHD) projects along with over 10,000 students statewide and more than 600,000 nationwide. CHS teachers evaluate the presentations, and the winners progress to regional competitions. They can then advance to State and National competitions in April and June, respectively. 

This year, five students from CHS advanced to the National Competition. Two of these students, Michelle Glynn and Rachael Winker, have been selected to present their NHD exhibit titled "Corsets to Coco: Turning Point in History" at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. on June 12, 2024. Their project was chosen at the state competition for its exceptional quality and relevance, earning them this special recognition. This is a prestigious honor from the NHD community, and our students are excited for the chance to showcase their work at the Smithsonian! Congratulations, Michelle and Rachael!

National History Day® (NHD) is proud to announce a series of student exhibitions at cultural institutions in Washington, D.C., during its 50th-anniversary National Contest. 99 historical research projects by students – including papers, documentaries, performances, and tabletop exhibits – will be exhibited at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the White House Historical Association on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. 

Cathy Gorn, the Executive Director of National History Day, said, “Encouraging students to expand their study of history beyond the classroom is a fundamental aspect of our work at National History Day. In our organization’s 50th anniversary year, we are thrilled to display these NHD projects at the Smithsonian Institution and the White House Historical Association. We are grateful for the collaborative effort of these cultural institutions in promoting the outstanding and essential work of these history students."

Webster Middle School has been recognized as a model Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work® School. As one of about 500 Schools and Districts in the US and Canada to receive this honor, Webster was recognized by Solution Tree for its sustained success in raising student achievement. Read More